Some patients with severe OCD may benefit from a state-of-the-art neurosurgical treatment at UPMC called deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS is a surgical procedure in which a thin wire implanted in a specific area of the brain transmits mild electrical pulses to help control abnormal brain activity.

Diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

If a patient has a diagnosis of chronic, severe, treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder that has become disabling, and has at least a five-year history of OCD, that patient may be referred by a psychiatrist to a specially trained neurosurgeon for deep brain stimulation.

Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Deep brain situmulation

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure in which a thin wire (electrode) is implanted in the area of the brain responsible for the patient’s symptoms.

The electrode, connected to a pulse generator implanted under the skin below the collarbone, carries mild electrical pulses to the brain to help control abnormal behaviors. The DBS procedure, performed by a specially trained neurosurgeon, is both adjustable and reversible.

DBS, which is most often used to treat movement disorders, is approved for OCD treatment under a Humanitarian Device Exemption.

DBS may be considered for patients who:

Have a diagnosis of OCD with a documented duration of at least five years

Have OCD rated as a severe or extreme illness

Have depression and anxiety

Have failed to improve following treatment with at least three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.

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